An incredible team player

This blog isn’t about softball, but indulge me while I ramble about the sport and one of my favorite players…

Anybody who’s played against the Deseret News’ softball team over the past decade or so knows that our squad has always had a reliable first baseman. Almost every game, we’ ve been able to count on Linda Hamilton (and her wrapped knees) to be there.

Linda has always been dependable, competitive, talented with the bat and glove, supportive, and friendly. Plus, she has a softball-specific bat and an extra mitt, so that makes her all the more useful. She also gives her all — athletes would say she gives “110 percent” — despite challenges from lingering injuries she’s incurred over her athletic career.

Get a big hit, and expect to be hugged by Linda when you get to the dugout. Dribble the ball a few feet in front of the catcher or huck the ball over her head, and expect to be consoled and cheered on.

I could go on — maybe brag about the 2001 championship she helped us win — but suffice it to say that Linda Hamilton has been great for the Deseret News’ softball team.

Same could and should be said of Linda’s contributions to the Deseret News’ Sports Department team. For 31 years, this Illinois transplant has given the paper “110 percent.” Very few writers care about the teams and players they cover more than Linda. And perhaps better than anyone on our staff, Linda has an ability to cull the darndest tidbits of information and insight out of interviews with athletes, coaches, management, you name it.

Most recently, Utah Jazz fans have been the beneficiaries of Linda’s hard work and talents. Fans of the University of Utah, Utah State, the Utah Grizzlies (not to forget the old Golden Eagles), the Starzz and so on have all benefited from her efforts and writing.

So have members of our Sports Dept. — both professionally and personally.

That’s why I got a lump in my throat and teary eyes last week. To little fanfare, Linda announced her retirement. Her horse’s gain is our loss. That’s why it’s with mixed emotions that I take her spot as part of “Team Jazz” with Tim Buckley and Loren Jorgensen.

Knowing Linda, though, she’ll still be our first baseman next softball season. I hope, at least. Heck, knowing her, she’ll probably find a couple more teams to play on while the rest of us are pulling our hair out trying to find good scoops, looking for creative ways to write “no comment,” and dealing with tight deadlines, triple shifts and grumpy editors.

Thanks for everything, Linda. Now, go play. You deserve it.